Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds help 6.2 million low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills.
WASHINGTON, DC – With the federal government shutdown now over and utility rates continuing to rise, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) are leading a bipartisan group of 31 Senators, including Senator Angus King, calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. Currently, $4 billion in federal LIHEAP dollars have yet to be distributed for this fiscal year.
“As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services, we urge you to immediately release the highest amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the Continuing Resolution,” the Senators wrote.
“As state agencies and tribes activate their LIHEAP programs for the coming winter, it is crucial that they have the resources on hand to help low-income households and seniors as soon as possible. As such, we request that you quickly release LIHEAP funds at the highest level possible, so that low-income households do not have to choose between paying for heat and affording other necessities like food or medicine. We look forward to working with you on this critical program and thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents,” the Senators concluded.
According to a new forecast from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, home heating costs are estimated to rise nearly 8 percent over last winter on average, with costs for heating with electricity forecasted to increase even higher – to 10 percent above last year. Nationwide, an estimated 6.2 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. In Maine, households received $41.6 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 LIHEAP funding.
States and tribes typically receive their LIHEAP allocations from HHS by early November. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. While eligibility varies by state, most applicants must have a household income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline or 60 percent of the state median income. LIHEAP applications are now open for all income-eligible households. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2026 — or until the funding is exhausted. To find your state agency, visit the U.S. Department of Energy LIHEAP State Map of Contacts.
Senators Collins, Reed, and Murkowski have led successful bipartisan efforts to protect and increase funding for LIHEAP. The Senate’s Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY 2026 would provide a $20 million increase for LIHEAP to $4.045 billion.
In addition to Senators Collins, Reed, Murkowski, and King, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Richard Durbin (D-IL) Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The complete text of the letter can be read here.
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